Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally (Devine 75), Roycroft, Aitken, Bell (Taggart 45), Tomana, Cramb, Cashmore (Wilson 75) and O’Brien. Unused Subs:- Fraser and Christie.
Forfar Athletic:- Wood, Trialist, King, Lumsden, Rattray (Allison 54), Tade, Stewart, Coyle, Tosh, Gribben and Fraser (Beith 79). Unused Subs:- Shaw, Lynn and Trialist.
A David O’Brien hat trick steered Stirling Albion to a comfortable 4-0 victory over bottom club Forfar. The main topic of conversation amongst the Binos’ fans in the lead up to this game was the lack of striking options available and the lack of any signings. However, since all the goals today came from midfield players, the crisis might not be as bad as first feared.
Both teams went into the match desperate for a victory. The Binos’ target was to try and catch up on Morton who had opened up a 12 point gap at the top whilst Forfar were keen to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.
After last week’s defeat at Cappielow, Binos’ gaffer, Allan Moore decided to ring the changes with Forsyth, Tomana, Cramb and Cashmore returning to the starting line up with Taggart, Devine and Fraser dropping to the bench
The Binos got off to the best possible starts when they took the lead after only 11 seconds. Cramb played the ball through to Bell in the inside right channel and the midfielder slotted the ball past Wood.
Cramb should have made it two in the 7th minute when he picked up a pass from Tomana and rounded Wood but his shot went over the bar. Next a Tomana cross was left by Cashmore but, this time, Cramb’s shot was wide of the post.
Next to have a chance was O’Brien but Wood came out to make a save. In the 22nd minute Tomana hit the post after picking up a Cramb knock down. Then Aitken had an effort which went inches past the post.
At this stage, it was one way traffic and Cashmore did well to get past Kassim, who had featured for the Binos in pre season, but Wood managed to palm the shot for a corner.
Just after the half hour mark, the Binos got the reward their pressure deserved when Forsyth intercepted a Kassim pass and strode into the Forfar half. O’Brien showed remarkable coolness in curling a left foot shot past the keeper and inside the near post to make it 2-0.
2 minutes later Cashmore almost made it three but Wood managed to stick out a leg. Right on half time, Bell had to limp off to be replaced by Taggart.
A feature of the first half had been the Forfar keeper apparently handling the ball outside his box as he cleared the ball form hand. This went unnoticed by the far side linesman but, in the second half, the other linesman flagged for the same infringement. However, Aitken’s free kick from right on the edge of the 18 yard box had more chance of hitting someone in Morrison’s car park as it had of ending up in the back of the net. Cramb then missed a golden opportunity to add to his goal tally when he shot over from 6 yards after Cashmore had left a Taggart cross. Wood then brought off a finger tip save to deny Taggart after a good build up involving Hay and O’Brien down the right hand side.
Aitken then managed to get nearer the target when a curling free kick rippled the outside of the net.
However, it was left to O’Brien to put the result beyond doubt when he left Kassim floundering to send a left foot shot past Wood. Now all that was left was O’Brien to get his hat trick which he duly did in the final minute when he collected a Wilson pass to put the ball past Wood.
What started off a nervy day, as far as the fans were concerned, ended up with smiles all round as the Binos not only reduced the gap with Morton at the top but also put a bit more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack for the play off places. A recent poll on the website forum raised the question of whether the Binos were certain of at least a play off place at the end of the season. I think the answer after today’s performance is a definite yes. However, it would be nice if the club did manage to sign another striker before the transfer window closes but, as long as you can get goals from midfield, the problem might not be as great as first feared.
Next up is another home game against a Peterhead side who are always difficult to beat and should provide a much sterner test than Forfar gave today. However, having lost one of their best players, Linn, another 3 points is a distinct possibility for the Binos especially if today’s performance can be re-produced. The Binos seemed to enjoy playing on a surface which best suits their style after the heavy pitches of the past 2 weeks.
GAME STATS:
STIRLING______________________________ FORFAR
| 26 |
Goal Attempts |
4 |
 |
|
|
13 |
|
On Target |
|
0 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
Off Target |
|
4 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
Hit Woodwork |
|
0 |
|
|
|
Stirling
Albion FC
